29 hours to be exact. Singapore is a popular layover for long haul flights. While the airport itself has lots to entertain jet lagged travellers if you have more than 5 hours it’s definitely worth exploring this wonderful city.
Where to stay in Singapore
If your layover is overnight or longer than 18 hours then you’ll need to book somewhere to sleep. Changi (Singapore Airport) has hotels within the terminals but you’ll find cheaper rates inside the city itself. I stayed in Ibis Budget Clarke Quay, through Booking.com, which was comfortable, not too pricey and in a great location.
What to eat in Singapore
Although Singapore is known to be an expensive city, as a Londoner I thought the food was reasonably priced. At Ibis Budget, breakfast was included at the cafe next door- Fangko. You can get fried chicken and blue fried rice or play it safe with a boring croissant (no really- take a look at the picture below)
Other places to eat are China Town and the Shopping Mall at Marina Bay Sands.
What to do in 24 hours
24 hours is plenty of time to see many of Singapore’s highlights.
As I stayed in Clarke Quay I started exploring that Quay as well as China Town.
By 11am I was ready for a cocktail. Raffles Hotel’s Long Bar is home to the original Singapore Sling. It’s quite funny having this beautiful hotel and bar with crushed peanut shells all over the floor. The peanuts on your table are free and you’re encouraged to sweep the shells onto the floor. The Singapore Sling was delicious and while pricey how can you not have an original Singapore Sling in the hotel it was invented.
I then walked over to the ArtScience Museum which I had pre booked tickets for. This museum was one of the best I’d been to- plenty of interactive elements including slides and swings (but bring closed toe shoes)
The Marina Bay Sands hotel is very impressive to look at. Pictures don’t do justice the sheer scale of it. You could pop up to the top to Ce La Vi bar for a drink.
The Shopping Mall has plenty of shops for you to browse or make some purchases. But remember, if you’re on a layover you only have room for hand luggage. The food court on the ground floor also has many affordable dinner options.
Early evening I headed to Gardens By the Bay to take a walk around before their free evening light show- overnight at 7.45pm and 9pm.
It was truly spectacular. The perfect way to end my trip (my layover at Singapore was on my way back from New Zealand and Fiji).
After the show I walked back to my hotel. Singapore is the safest city I’ve ever been to. Plenty of people walking around at all hours including other girls on their own.
When you’re back at the airport be sure to check out the Jewel centre including the famous indoor waterfall- it’s closed overnight so make sure you time when to see if before or after your visit to Singapore.
